Book Review of Broken Spell

Book Review of Broken Spell

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BLURB:

Be careful what you wish for. 

Skye wanted to find the Singularity. She got what she sought, but to protect the most powerful witch alive, Skye betrayed her coven. Now she regrets entangling her boyfriend Drake in her hidden world.

Drake yearned for Skye, but now he finds out that getting the girl is just the beginning: keeping the girl is the hard part. When tragedy strikes, Drake faces an impossible choice that could destroy his family and his shot at love. 

The vicious Night covens seek retribution at all costs. Wicked Jane has returned, scarred from her last confrontation with Drake and Skye, and holding a baffling secret that may change everything.

Dangerous alliances arise. The Veil is about to be broken.

Falling in love has never been harder.

Book 1:

Wicked Sense (The Singularity Series, #1)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2012

Winner, 2012 Sandy Literary Contest - 1st place - YA category

Witches inhabit our world, organized in covens and hiding behind a shroud of secrecy--the Veil.

Skye's London coven sends her to Seattle's Greenwood High to find the Singularity, an unusually gifted witch who may break the Veil and trigger a dangerous new era of witch-hunting. Things get complicated when Skye meets a charming new classmate, Drake. Skye's job becomes even trickier when she clashes with Jane, an intimidating rival witch.

Drake falls for the mysterious Skye, but odd accidents, potion mix-ups, and the occasional brush with death kind of get in the way of romance. Once he discovers Skye is a witch, he goes to war for her, even though his only weapons are a nice set of abs and a sharp sense of humor.

Fighting off wicked Jane and the other dark forces hell-bent on seizing the Singularity's immense power, Skye and Drake will risk everything to save the covens.

Going on a date has never been harder.

 

BIO:

Fabio writes Young Adult/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal novels, including the award-winning WICKED SENSE. He resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and kids. When not writing or reading, he geeks out with family and friends, solidifies his reputation as the world's slowest runner, and acts very snobbish about movies. He hangs out here:

FabioBueno.com
Twitter.com/@_FabioBueno_
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ONLINE LINKS:

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Excerpt/Other: 

 Broken Spell

(Singularity Series, Book 2)

by

Fabio Bueno

Chapter 1: Skye

My life is on the right track at last. That terrifies me.

I’m afraid that something beyond my control—or worse, my own choices—might ruin everything.

That’s why I seek the Goddess, the one constant in my life, the only true source of solace and strength.

As I crush dead leaves with my fingers, almost finishing my prayer, my body tingles. I sense the magical energy of another Sister nearby. In the middle of secluded Aurora Park, before dawn, it can only mean a threat.

If I were a regular witch, the source of the magic flow would be undetected. But I have True Sight, a Charm that allows me to sense others of my kind from a long range. Whoever is spying on me is sure she’s unnoticed.

My Charm lets me estimate how far away this Sister is. She gets closer, but stops at what she believes is a safe distance, about eighty yards to my right, atop a gentle slope. She can’t sense me from there, and she believes I can’t sense her either. Turning to check on the Sister would alert her. Since she’s still, I’ll pretend to finish my ritual, while thinking at warp speed.

It’s still dark and, since she can’t sense me, she must be using night vision goggles. Or the two candles in front of me may be giving my position away. I open my eyes a little but see no light to my right: she’s not using a flashlight.

No other source of magic is around, but that doesn’t mean anything. The Sister might have brought friends. They might be surrounding me right now. Think fast, Skye.

While chanting in a low voice and performing the ritual’s gestures with one hand, my other hand discreetly reaches into the front pocket of my jeans. I carry a couple of potions, Sleep and Decay, there, just in case. Just for this case, actually. My other pocket has my cell. I could call 911, but I’d have to explain why I feel threatened by someone I shouldn’t know is there. And what I’m doing in the park before dawn, which is against the law. Lighting fires, no less.

Or I can call Drake and be much briefer.

Disguising my movements, I get the cell from my pocket and speed-dial Drake’s number. I turn on the speakerphone.

A groggy voice answers. “Skye? Are you all right?”

Instead of chanting, my lips move to say, “I’m sensing another witch. Maybe Jane. Aurora Park. North Entrance, about a hundred yards down the path, right side.”

“Can you talk?” His voice is alert at once.

“Yes.”

“What are you doing there?”

“I’m finishing my ritual. She’s not moving.” I put out the candles. Dawn is almost upon us, so I still can see—and so can my stalker. “I’ll collect my stuff and leave now.”

“Still no movement?”

“Nope.” My candles, mortar, pestle, dried leaves, and water vial are in my bag now. I search for the flasks with the potions to reassure myself. “I’m leaving now.” I plug an earphone into my cell. I don’t know if the sight of a phone would scare my pursuer away or force her to make a move on me. I put the cell back in my pocket for now.

“Do you want me to pick you up? I’m ready to leave home.” Drake’s voice in my ear calms me down.

“No. Wait.” I walk to the path. For the ritual, I wanted peace and loneliness. Now I yearn for people and activity around me. Joggers, someone walking a dog, even a park ranger would be welcome. “Walking to the nearest exit now.”

“Find a Tully’s or another coffeehouse. They’re open at this hour. Is she following you?”

“Yes, but keeping her distance. I think it’s okay.”

His voice takes a commanding tone. “Skye, it’s not okay. She might have Knowings waiting to ambush you. You cannot sense those. I’m meeting you.”

I pick up my pace. It’s still not day. I can see the trees by the side of the trail, but not much further than that. Someone could be waiting for me in the dark.

“Drake, it’ll take too long.”

“It’s five minutes. Keep talking.”

The engine of Drake’s car rumbles to life.

“I’m looking around. No one’s here,” I tell him.

“How far are you from the exit? Where are you headed?”

“The north parking lot. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” My Charm tells me that the Sister still follows me.

“Go there and be in sight.”

I want to run. But if I do, the Sister will know something is wrong. I’m not supposed to sense someone so far away. I need to stay collected.

A sudden rustle of leaves startles me. I’m caught by surprise and let out a small yelp.

“What?” Drake asks. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. Some little animal scared me.”

“Almost there.”

The parking lot is ahead of me. It’s empty. I make a line for the car entrance.

Drake’s Volvo appears, speeding. He sees me and stops right in front of me.

“Get in,” he says while opening the passenger door.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say while I get in.

“Where is she?” He makes a U-turn to leave the lot.

“She stopped. Let’s go.”

We leave the park and my shadow behind.

“Do you still sense her?” he asks, after we’ve driven two blocks.

“No, she stayed there.” I kiss his cheek. “You rescued me. Like a knight on a white horse. Or in a brown car.”

He looks at me in disbelief. “How can you joke? What were you thinking?”

“I need to do my rituals, Drake. It’s part of who I am.”

“And what about Night Sisters stalking you?”

“They’re part of my life now too.”

He frowns. “Sorry, Skye. But this is not right. Just…be more careful. I worry.”

“Aren’t you sweet?”

Drake came for me right away. His disheveled hair and his sleepy eyes are evidence that he cares. I caress his face. My fingers linger on his cheekbones while I imagine who sculpted them in such artful precision.

“All right,” he says. “But we need to talk about that.”

“Soon. Now take me home. I want to give you a proper thank you for rescuing me.”

A grin lights up his face.

Review: 

Interesting new mythology on witches, at least to me.  The Singularity, or most powerful witch alive, was a new idea for me.  It was a very different take.  Then the whole witch/mortal love interest is always a good one, especially when you know there are going to be problems.  Any time two people live in very different worlds you are going to have conflict, problems, funny situations, and sorrow.

Unfortunately this story ended on a  very sad note.  I really hate that.  I can’t help it; I’m a sucker for happy endings. But of course it’s left open for the nest sequel… which I can’t wait to read.

I give this story 4 out of 5 clouds

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.